Badlands Residency Day 17

Sunday November 18

Attempted to hike to Deer Haven today with Ranger Cathy and Dave.  Failed, but found some other neat areas to enjoy.  Followed a creek/runoff bed as far into the canyon as we could manage.  Lots of jumping across the steep banks and scrambling up and down.  Along the way we found some great badlands mud, tortoise and oreodont fossils, and a field of cattails.  It was a beautiful day, about 70 degrees and brilliant blue sky. So nice to be outside in this!

Not Deer  Haven, but a cool spot nonetheless.

Beautiful erosion patterns.

Looking back the way we came in.

Something of a mini-Deer Haven.

I love the evidence of moving water;
 the patterns left in the grasses.

Looking back during the return hike to
Conata Picnic Area where we parked.

Cattails!

Field of cattails.  Must come back in spring to hear the frogs.

The view behind the Conata Picnic Area.

Made a stop by the yellow mounds on the drive home.

Yellow mounds area.